Updated: RI Alcohol Survey Preliminary Results: Is Your Town Hall Dry?

NEWPORT, RI — Newport's City Manager has not replied to the Patch's survey about drinking in municipal buildings, including the City and Town halls. But all the other Newport County cities and towns are unanimous. They have comprehensive policies stating alcohol use is not allowed, with a couple of exceptions in Tiverton and in Jamestown.

The question came up after a controversy over drinking at the Rhode Island Statehouse. Freshman lawmaker Moira Walsh (D-Prov.) told WPRO radio she was astonished about the amount of drinking legislators did. The legislators defended their practices and insisted there's less booze at the Statehouse today than in the past. A week later, a camera caught them toasting St. Joseph's Day on the House floor.

Today, Larry Berman, communications director for the House Speaker's office said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello paid for the toast last week.

"The liquor is NEVER paid for by the state," he wrote in an e-mail message. "In fact, there is a state government regulation in place that prohibits any purchases or reimbursement for alcohol for any reason.

"The alcohol purchased for last week’s toast was paid for by Speaker Mattiello’s campaign account. Each Representative has a very tiny amount in a cup placed on their desks for ceremonial toasts for cultural events. Some times the Representatives will bring the alcohol in that they have personally purchased. Such events include Day of Portugal, Israel Independence Day, Dominican Republic Independence Day, and of course, St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Day, which was celebrated last Thursday."

Patch wondered about practices at the cities and towns, starting with Newport County.

Here are the results.

Jamestown

No liquor allowed with exceptions for Fort Getty Pavilion, which is rented for weddings and private functions, and at the Golf Course, which is leased. But insurance is required in those cases, according to Andrew Nota, town administrator.

The issue has come up, though. Over the past couple of years, an art club has made a formal request to serve wine at its art show openings at Town Hall, but so far, the council has declined to allow the liquor.

"At the present time alcohol is prohibited from the Town facilities, excluding Fort Getty Pavilion, and the Golf Course where appropriate insurance naming the Town as a co-insured on a policy is required," Nota said. "At some point in the future, the discussion may be raised for further Council review and consideration as it relates to this topic and the issuance of Class F licenses for private and non-profit functions."

Middletown

No liquor allowed. According to Shawn Brown, town administrator, the "Town’s facility use policy prohibits the serving of alcohol."

Portsmouth

No liquor allowed. "We prohibit drinking alcohol at Town Hall and other Town administrative buildings," said Richard Ranier, town administrator.

Tiverton

"Alcohol is prohibited at all Town buildings and recreation facilities by ordinance," according to Matthew Wojcik, town administrator. "The Library Board of Trustees gets a once a year permit to serve at a gala they hold every year to raise funds."

Full disclosure, he added, "enforcement is not always perfect, as late night men's softball games often involve use of alcohol, that we don't catch until next day typically, but we have put leagues on notice the practice is prohibited."

Newport

No reply.

Photo Caption: Rhode Island State Rep. Moira Walsh, second from left, drinks from a water bottle while others raise glasses of wine in honor of St. Joseph's Day, in the House Chambers at the Rhode Island Statehouse, Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Providence. The toast was a part of Irish and Italian cultural celebrations held in the legislative chambers. Walsh last week said that there's an "insane amount of drinking" in the building. Legislative leaders have disputed that. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)